“Run along trail from Alpine Road to Page Mill Road.”

Features
Fall Colors

The preserve is open year round from dawn until half an hour after sunset.

Runner Notes

The trail is popular with mountain bikers, so it can be pretty busy during the day. However, it's free of obstacles and provides a nice climb to Page Mill Road.

Description

The Alpine Road Trail climbs from the terminus of Alpine Road in Portola Valley to Page Mill Road. This trail is popular with mountain bikers, who enjoy riding down from Page Mill Road. While you can run down the trail from Page Mill Road, its easier to keep an eye out for approaching riders if you run up the trail.

There are a couple of parking spots at the trailhead, and more further down the road toward Portola Valley. The trail follows the old Alpine Road once it passes a gate and crosses a gully before turning to the right and starting its climb uphill. Fairly wide at this point, the trail is made of dirt and gravel. Flanked by trees on both sides of the trail, shade is abundant and provides protection in the heat of the day. At .3 miles, homes in the area can be seen off to the left of the trail. Around .6 miles, the trail begins to narrow as it continues uphill. At .8 miles, a bypass trail breaks off to the right and narrows. This is due to the road being washed out. The trail climbs more steeply through this section. The trail is now completely dirt as it weaves its way uphill. There are several places where the trail forks around trees in the trail, so you can take either path as they all end up at the same place back on the trail. At .9 miles, a small trail leads off to the right that leads to an old, rusted out truck, which can be seen just up ahead on the main trail. At one mile, the trail passes through a fence where there is a wide area to rest off to the side before continuing your climb.

The trail continues along a narrow path, worn down by the mountain bikers who ride the trail. At 1.3 miles, the Crazy Pete's Road Trail breaks off to the right and climbs up toward Skyline Boulevard. A short while later, at 1.55 miles, the Cloud's Rest Trail breaks off to the right and climbs toward an open area below Skyline Boulevard. A little further up the trail, a snow fence has been set up beside a gully to prevent mountain bikers from riding off the edge of the trail. At the 2 mile mark, the Meadow Trail climbs off to the right and provides access to the Clouds Rest Trail. Around 2.2 miles, you begin passing private property on both sides of the trail. The trail winds up to the right and finally approaches another gate that prevents cars from driving down Alpine Road. There is a passage on the right side of the trail and you emerge on Page Mill Road, where there is more parking to the right.

Flora & Fauna

The trail climbs through an oak forest, and squirrels, birds, deer, and coyotes can be seen seen in various areas. It is heavily wooded, so it might be difficult to see them in the woods.